#JapanBlog

August 20, 1900: The Shock of the 3rd Elementary School Order That Forged Modern Japan

Discover how the 3rd Elementary School Order of August 20, 1900, made education free and compulsory, skyrocketing Japan's literacy and shaping its highly disciplined culture.

2026.08.20

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

The Tragic Miracle and the Loyalty of Animals: Japanese Folktale “The Magic Pearl”

Discover the deeply emotional Japanese folktale "The Magic Pearl" (Fushigi na Tama). Explore the themes of human greed, animal loyalty, and traditional Japanese animism in this heartbreaking story.

2026.08.17

Japanese Folktale Series

[Japanese Folktale] “Yamatsunami” (The Mountain Tsunami) – A Tragic Tale of Greed and Nature’s Wrath

Discover the Japanese folktale "Yamatsunami" (The Mountain Tsunami). Explore a tragic story of two woodcutter brothers, human greed, and the wrath of the Mountain God. Learn how ancient myths connect deeply with Japanese culture, animism, and respect for nature.

2026.08.09

Japanese Folktale Series

The Story of “Toroko no Pekanbe”: A Mystical Ainu Folktale from Hokkaido

Explore the profound Ainu folktale "Toroko no Pekanbe" from Hokkaido, Japan. Discover its fascinating story, deep cultural analysis, and teachings on coexisting with nature.

2026.08.07

Japanese Folktale Series

August 3: “Gakusei Promulgation Day” – The Dawn of Education that Supported Japan’s Modernization

Discover the history of August 3, Japan's Gakusei Promulgation Day. Learn how the Meiji era's revolutionary education system shaped modern Japanese culture.

2026.08.03

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

August 1st: The Hidden Heart of Japan in “Hassaku” and “Tanomi no Sekku”

Discover the fascinating Japanese traditions of August 1st: Hassaku and Tanomi no Sekku. Learn how ancient agricultural rituals of gratitude shaped samurai history, Tokugawa Ieyasu's Edo period, and modern Japanese gift-giving culture.

2026.08.01

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

July 23 is “Rice Riot Day”: The Historic Turning Point that Started in a Toyama Fishing Village

Discover the history of Japan's 1918 Rice Riots on July 23. Learn how local housewives changed history and explore the deep cultural significance of rice in Japan.

2026.07.23

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

July 18: The Severity of “Japanese Summer” and Modern Challenges – Learning from Photochemical Smog

Discover the history behind July 18 in Japan, when the first photochemical smog incident occurred, and how it reshaped Japanese summer culture and modern environmental policies.

2026.07.18

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

June 27, 1994: The Matsumoto Sarin Incident — The Night That Changed Japanese Society and Media

Discover the history and cultural impact of the 1994 Matsumoto Sarin Incident. Learn how this tragic event on June 27 changed Japanese media, the presumption of innocence, and society.

2026.06.27

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

Suiton-ji: The Heartwarming Japanese Folktale of a Monk and a Starving Tanuki

Discover the charming Japanese folktale of Suiton-ji, where a solitary monk befriends a starving tanuki. Explore its cultural meaning and connection to Japanese animism on our blog.

2026.06.20

Japanese Folktale Series